Yes, Reflexology has helped millions of people to manage their arthritic pain. Arthritis affects over 350 million people worldwide. In the United States, about 1 in 4 adults (over 58 million people) have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis.
The most common arthritis types are:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form caused by wear and tear on joints.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.
- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is linked to psoriasis and affects skin and joints.
- Gout is caused by uric acid buildup, which leads to joint inflammation.
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Juvenile Arthritis
We associate arthritis with an “older person’s disease,” but approximately 300,000 children in the US have some form of juvenile arthritis (JA.)
The most common juvenile arthritis types are:
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) ā The most common type, an autoimmune condition with unknown causes.
- Juvenile Lupus ā An inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting joints and organs.
- Juvenile Dermatomyositis ā Causes muscle weakness and skin rashes.
- Juvenile Scleroderma ā Leads to skin hardening and joint issues.
- Kawasaki Disease ā Causes joint inflammation along with heart complications.
Is it Guarantee You Will Have Arthritis if Your Parents Have it?
It’s a common misconception that arthritis is solely a genetic defect. While genetics can predispose individuals to certain types of arthritis (for example, specific gene variants like those in the HLA family can increase the risk for rheumatoid arthritis), having a genetic predisposition doesn’t guarantee that arthritis will develop. Instead, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and chronic body inflammation significantly affect whether and how arthritis develops. This dual perspective is key for understanding the condition and approaching its prevention or treatment.
What is Body Inflammation?
When the immune response overacts, your body can no longer differentiate between healthy body tissues and antigens. Due to mixed messages transmitted from the brain, your immune system begins to destroy healthy body tissues. Unfortunately, body inflammation usually causes pain!
What Causes Body Inflammation
Almost every modern disease is caused or affected by body inflammation. Stress, diet, and lifestyle can compromise your immune system. Everyone has had common illnesses such as sore throats, colds, broken bones, etc. Your body goes into the appropriate defense to ward off these diseases or trauma by generating the proper white cells, known as antigens, to fight off invasive bacteria or viruses to survive.
Body Inflammation as a Arthritic Pain Trigger:
In many cases, especially in autoimmune forms such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, chronic inflammation is the driving force behind joint damage. This inflammation can be triggered by lifestyle factors, an inflammatory diet (sugar, red meat, dairy, and alcohol), environmental triggers, and metabolic issues.
- Autoimmune Reactions: The immune system may mistakenly attack joint tissues, leading to persistent inflammation.
- Osteoarthritis: Once thought purely a wear-and-tear condition, research shows that low-grade chronic inflammation can contribute to cartilage breakdown.
Why Understanding Body Inflammation Matters
Recognizing inflammation as a key player in managing arthritic pain and arthritis symptoms has important implications for treatment and prevention:
- Targeted Therapies: Various treatments, including medication, physical therapy, supplements, and alternative holistic treatments, such as Reflexology, infrared light therapy, and acupuncture, can help reduce inflammation while managing symptoms and slowing the progression of arthritis.
- Lifestyle Interventions: Eating a low-inflammatory diet can reduce arthritic pain; daily exercise and stress management can reduce overall body inflammation.
Reflexology Can Help to Reduce Arthritic Pain
Reflexology, an ancient healing practice, focuses on applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, which correspond to different organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach promotes relaxation, improves circulation, and supports the body’s natural healing process with a touch of the fingers and thumbs.Ā
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How Reflexology Eases Arthritic Pain:
- Stimulates Circulation: Enhanced blood flow helps remove toxins and reduce swelling.
- Reduces Stress: Reflexology promotes deep relaxation, lowering cortisol levels and decreasing inflammation.
- Supports Lymphatic Drainage: Reflexology encourages eliminating waste and toxins by stimulating reflex points.
- Balances the Nervous System: It helps regulate immune responses, reducing inflammatory triggers.
Incorporating Reflexology into Your Wellness Program
To experience the benefits of reflexology for inflammation, consider the following:
- Regular sessions with a certified reflexologist
- Practicing self-reflexology at home by massaging key reflex points
- Pairing reflexology with a healthy lifestyle, including an anti-inflammatory diet and stress management
By addressing inflammation holistically, reflexology can serve as a supportive tool to enhance overall well-being and alleviate discomfort associated with arthritic pain.Ā
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Get Arthritic Pain Management Help
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about developing a personalized pain management plan that addresses your arthritis pain needs or about reflexology therapy. ReflexologyĀ does notĀ replace traditional medicine but can complement your current wellness plan. Have Reflexology questions? email us: [email protected]
About the Writer, Teacher, and Film Maker
Helen Chin Lui is a Certified Reflexologist, Certified Energy Medicine, and Reiki Practitioner. She owns the Healing Place LLC and Healing Place Energy School LLC in Medfield, MA. She specializes in helping adults and children find long-lasting relief from chronic pain and digestive issues and healing hormonal imbalances naturally.
Healing Place LLC
Healing Place LLC specializes in helping people of all ages break the pain cycles of chronic pain and chronic digestive problems and balances hormones naturally. If you would like to learn how Reflexology can support your health, please schedule a FREE consultation on the HealingPlaceMedfield.com website or call us at (508) 359-6463
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Healing Place Energy School
Learn more in-depth hand and foot reflexology from the privacy of your home by going to HealingPlaceEnergySchool. We offer Reflexology, chakra, self-care, meditation, and reiki courses.
Helen Chin Lui’s Books
If you would like to learn more about personal energy flow, or Reflexology techniques, getĀ Helen’s Books Know Your Chakras: Introduction to Energy Medicine or Foot Reflexology to Promote Relaxation.
Get Helen’s Free Digestive Health E-Booklet
For Helen’s free report āProven Alternative Ways to Heal Common Chronic Digestive Problems: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know Can Keep You From HealingāĀ
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